Twyla Garrett Named Keynote Speaker for the WILDE Leadership and Service Awards Philanthropy Gala

Twyla Garrett is the owner of IME (HireIme.com) and the author of Homeland Security; A Comprehensive Guide for All. Garrett, who recently spoke at The United Nations, has been invited by The Women in Leadership Development and Empowerment Inc. (WILDE) team to act as the keynote speaker at their annual awards and philanthropy gala this October in Atlanta, Georgia. http://wildeawardsgala.org/

Ms. Garrett will speak to an audience of professional women who have made strides within their own careers, and who have also had a substantial impact on today’s business society. This year WILDE is honoring six women for the following categories; Woman of Valor, Philanthropist of the Year, Executive of the Year, Under 30 Entrepreneur of the Year, Health and Fitness Woman of the Year, and Community Builder of the Year.

“It is an honor to be able to speak at such a notable event that promotes other women. I don’t have the list of this year’s current nominees, but amazing women were honored last year and I know WILDE will “one up” that event,” said Ms. Garrett. “I’m going to speak about my story and how other women helped me find my entrepreneurial voice. It is imperative that we support one another through the good times and through the failures. WILDE shares my sentiment, which makes this opportunity even more special!”

Twyla Garrett is an emotional, physical, and sexual abuse survivor. She is an Ohio native who sought to climb her way out of despair, family trauma, and financial disadvantages by following her entrepreneurial spirit to San Diego, California and, eventually, Washington, D.C. Ms. Garrett attended John Marshall High School, Ursuline College (BA), University of Phoenix (MA), and Dartmouth University Tuck Business School (Executive Management Program). She has spoken at The White House and is an executive consultant to federal, state and local emergency management and homeland security programs nationwide. In addition to IME and other businesses, Twyla self-funded a 1.5 million dollar entertainment complex in Cleveland, Ohio. Her efforts single-handily added to the improvement of Cleveland’s economic culture by hiring formally homeless individuals.

Members of the media are invited to attend the event with Ms. Garrett upon request. Interviews are available by submitting a story request to Helene Vece at 702-749-5925, ext. 210.

The WILDE Leadership and Service Awards Philanthropy Gala will take place on October 11, 2014 at Future Vision - 1212 Fowler Street, NW. Atlanta. GA. The event runs from 7:00pm - 11:00pm.

The Best Time Management Tip EVER!

Yes, I am bold enough to say it. I have the best time management tip ever. Keep reading because this tip will solve all of your time management problems and you will never, ever have to study up on the topic again. What is it?

Alright, here it is- the big, big- big secret to managing your time effectively. Say goodbye to your ‘to do’ list. No, I am not crazy. I swear this works. You see, the lists we create for ourselves put pressure on ourselves and we fill them up with tasks that aren’t immediate. We have items on these lists that read like a shopping list. You need to create your own schedule and block of times for certain areas of business, but not for specific items.

Example, if you book your own meetings- and you should- only schedule two hours a day to fit in all your meetings. Call this block “meetings” but don’t write anything further down. Only schedule meetings during this block of time. If it doesn’t work for someone else, let them move their day around. So, every day you walk into your office- let’s say from 11 to 1 – you know you have meetings. You may have one meeting, you may have four meetings. However, the meetings don’t start any sooner than 11 and go no later than 1pm. This gets the meeting elements into a concise block of time and you can move on to the next block of action items right away without worrying about a long list of tasks.

Try removing yourself from a ‘to do’ list business formula. Try my formula for a week and I swear you will be hooked because it simply is effective!

Until tomorrow,

Twyla N. Garrett

3 Business Mastering Tasks

I didn’t gain my success overnight. In fact, it took years and I still work at it daily. However, there are three tasks / tools that I make part of my daily routine to ensure I am mastering my businesses. I am happy to share these with you now.

1. Satisfied customers leave you when somebody gives them a better deal. How do you avoid this? Value. If a customer leaves you for the better deal, don’t panic. In fact, send them on their way in a positive manner. They will miss your value over the saved money and come back. If they don’t come back, you’re not providing value. Be conscious to provide value on a daily basis.

2. Be honest about where your business really is. You are not what you think you are worth. Keep working, keep striving, don’t stand still or think you are better than you are- it will be your downfall.

3. Where is your profit? Don’t keep your profit line now in the water. You have to move it around but do so slowly. Make small, incremental changes that all together make your entire business significantly more efficient and profitable.

As we head into Friday remember to always present value about your products/services, know where you are really when it comes to business and your competition, and adjust your profit lines little by little.

Until tomorrow,

Twyla N. Garrett

Attention Getting Slogans....The "How-To" Edition

Every great brand needs a great slogan. So, what happens when you're stuck and can't come up with one? First, don't panic. Second, don't over think. If you are struggling to come up with a great slogan then step away from the task for three days. When you do come back to addressing the issue, follow my advice listed below.

A great slogan should be between three and five words. Anything longer will be hard to remember and won't stick with customers. Nike's 'Just Do It' campaign is the perfect slogan. It explains everything, it has stuck for years, and it is short. Remember, if you have a slogan over five words- revisit it and figure out how to make it shorter.

Don't be soulless. A great slogan has to provoke emotion within people. It should reference something other than "buy me." Marketing people forget customers are people, not numbers. Try viewing your slogan from a personal point of view.

You also want to have an element of shock value- but in a good way. Don't use anything too controversial, but a slogan that is clever enough to turn heads and be remembered.

Branding a business is hard work. You might have to revisit the drawing board several times- but it will be worth it in the end.

Until next time, Twyla Garrett

Twyla Garrett, CBM, CHS III is an extraordinary serial entrepreneur, corporate speaker, and compelling author who has been personally invited to speak at The White House about creating jobs, economic growth, and the controversial fiscal cliff of 2012. ​

Garrett is known for her notable (sometimes 100% self-funded) business deals and for providing excellent opportunities to individuals facing immense challenges. She developed a home-based small event planning and catering business from 1995-1998. She opened her first of three clubs, Club Escape, in 2003. Club Escape is a summer nightclub and restaurant, located in Richmond, that provides at-risk teens an opportunity to learn the restaurant business. Within the next few years, she opened Mocha Fusion Coffee Lounge in 2008, and 2020 Martini Café in 2008; both restaurants in Cleveland, Ohio. She sold those ventures and moved the 2020 Martini Café and Lounge to Richmond, Virginia.